Rovers and Preston to renew rivalry!

Rovers Ladies will face old foes Preston North End in the final of the Lancashire FA Womens Challenge Cup.

Preston thrashed Morecambe 5-0 at the weekend to set up the mouthwatering meeting with Gemma Donnelly’s side.

Rovers safely secured their place in an 11 successive final with a convincing 5-3 victory over Padiham earlier this month.

The two teams met at the semi-final stage last season, with Rovers running out 3-1 winners, only to relinquish their hold of the county crown following a penalty shootout defeat to Blackpool Wren Rovers in the final.

Rovers’ record goalscorer, Katie Anderton, who bagged a brace in that semi-final success, has since made the short move across Lancashire to join her hometown team.

The county cup clash was one of four meetings between Rovers and Preston last season, with Rovers winning three and drawing one. However, North End got their revenge over Rovers earlier this season, winning 6-1 in September’s league clash.

It was almost a role reversal of the last time the two teams met in the Lancashire Cup final, back in March 2011, when Rovers romped to a 6-2 win!

The final will be held at the LFA Headquarters in Leyland. Date to be confirmed.